Help needed - Walther Info

[19USMC69]

I just purchased a Walther from a friend. It's a beautiful stainless (?) piece. Maybe 10 rounds through it. On the slide:

Carl Walther Waffenfabrik Ulm/Do.
Model PPK/S Cal. 9mm Kurtz/.380 ACP

I know just short of nothing about Walther products. Can someone help me out as to what I own. I do note several variations of the PP model (PPK, PPK/S, PP) in the Instruction and Safety Manual, but, again, I have no idea as to the many of the differences.

Thanks in advance.

[micro911]

It says PPK/S 380 Auto. Definitely not a PPK with shorter grip. PPK/S with a finger rest magazine will fit your hands reasonably well. If it doesn't have Interarms stamp, it may be the older original German made.

[Ripon83]

Does it say interarms on it?

There is a forum for Walther, it's a lot of helpful people. I've been there many times and always gotten food info. I don't have the link handy but it's not hard to find via a search.

[zinfull]

if you will give us a partial ser no. We could help some more. Pictures are always welcomed.

http://www.p38forum.com/

[19USMC69]

In addition to the above text, there is "MADE IN USA" notation.

The opposite side of the slide:

INTERARMS
ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA

Will post a pic in a bit. Thanks for the info.

[19USMC69]

[zinfull]

http://p38forum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=57589&d=1448119350

Check the date made.

[OCGunFan]

Your PPK/S is the finest postwar Walther built of the entire line. The PPK is a smaller 6 shot gun that was started in the 1929, it came in 22, 25, 32 and 380 and those Zella-Mehlis marked bring a premium. The other models are the PP with a larger overall size, PP-L, PP-L Sport, PPK-E and their Olympic line.

After the war the French were licensed to make Walthers at their Manhurin factory with tooling from Germany, they're becoming more collectible but will never be as desirable as the Zella guns.

There was a US built PPK, PPK/S & PP in the late 70's by Ranger but those guns were so poorly made that Walther cancelled their license after 1 year. S&W makes the PPK line in the US, they're ok but no Walther collectors are interested, plus they've had some problems.

Interarms imported Walther and other European guns in the late 60's, 70's and early 80's. Their obnoxiously large import stamps across these beautiful guns is universally hated by collectors and for years it knocked down the value.

Your gun is considered one of the most desirable postwar PPK/s because its German built and it's stainless. Enjoy it and pass it to your kids for them to enjoy.

[19USMC69]

Thank you.

[CALI-gula]

S&W makes the PPK line in the US, they're ok but no Walther collectors are interested, plus they've had some problems.

Smith & Wesson announced a safety recall on certain Walther PPK and PPK/S pistols. The company requests that you stop using your Walther PPK or PPK/S manufactured by Smith & Wesson from March 21, 2002 to February 3, 2009 immediately. A safety issue exists in some of these pistols that may cause serious injury or fatality.
Walther PPK and PPK/S product recall notice

Firearms that have been fixed will have a punch dot at the back of the pistol’s frame.

The issue was found that some Walther PPK and PPK/S semiautomatic handguns will fire a chambered round without the trigger being pulled. Smith & Wesson engineers found that after chambering a round and disengaging the safety, there is a possibility that lowering the hammer will fire the chambered round without pulling the trigger.

The Walther PPK and PPK/S pistols affected were made by Smith & Wesson from March 21, 2002 to February 3, 2009 with the following serial numbers:

0010BAB – 9999BAB

0000BAC – 9999BAC

0000BAD – 9999BAD

0000BAE – 9999BAE

0000BAF – 9999BAF

0000BAH – 9999BAH

0000BAJ – 9999BAJ

0000BAK – 9999BAK

0000BAL – 5313BAL

0000BAM – 1320BAM

0000LTD – 0499LTD

0001PPK – 1500PPK

0026REP – 0219REP

0001WLE – 0459WLE

If you own a Walther PPK or PPK/S made during this time period and it has one of the serial numbers listed above, Smith & Wesson asks that you STOP USING YOUR PISTOL and return it to Smith & Wesson for a free replacement of the hammer block.

Firearms that have been fixed will have a punch dot at the back of the pistol’s frame. This mark indicates that the new hammer block has been installed and your Walther is safe to use and fire.

Please contact Smith & Wesson at 1-800-33-0852 or PPK_S@smith-wesson.com if you suspect your Walther PPK or PPK/S may have a defective hammer block.

Smith & Wesson issued this recall in February 2009.

[19USMC69]

Thanks much. I've got an 029_ _ _ serial number. Thankfully it doesn't match any of the listed numbers.

Curious...if one was made by S & W, would the S & W name/logo appear on the piece? Mine says, "Under License Of" just above "Carl Walther....."

[OCGunFan]

Did you not read my post ??? I thought I was pretty clear about your gun, so why would you ask if it was one of the current S&W production ?

Your gun is much more desirable than the S&W, it was made in GERMANY, it was imported in the 70's or 80's, hence the Interarms stamp. Last time I looked, S&W was still based in the USA.

Better yet, why don't you research your own gun, so you don't have to rely on anyone else to tell you what you own.

[lechiffre]

Your PPK/S is the finest postwar Walther built of the entire line. The PPK is a smaller 6 shot gun that was started in the 1929, it came in 22, 25, 32 and 380 and those Zella-Mehlis marked bring a premium. The other models are the PP with a larger overall size, PP-L, PP-L Sport, PPK-E and their Olympic line.

After the war the French were licensed to make Walthers at their Manhurin factory with tooling from Germany, they're becoming more collectible but will never be as desirable as the Zella guns.

There was a US built PPK, PPK/S & PP in the late 70's by Ranger but those guns were so poorly made that Walther cancelled their license after 1 year. S&W makes the PPK line in the US, they're ok but no Walther collectors are interested, plus they've had some problems.

Interarms imported Walther and other European guns in the late 60's, 70's and early 80's. Their obnoxiously large import stamps across these beautiful guns is universally hated by collectors and for years it knocked down the value.

Your gun is considered one of the most desirable postwar PPK/s because its German built and it's stainless. Enjoy it and pass it to your kids for them to enjoy.

Did you not read my post ??? I thought I was pretty clear about your gun, so why would you ask if it was one of the current S&W production ?

Your gun is much more desirable than the S&W, it was made in GERMANY, it was imported in the 70's or 80's, hence the Interarms stamp. Last time I looked, S&W was still based in the USA.

Better yet, why don't you research your own gun, so you don't have to rely on anyone else to tell you what you own.

Much of that is incorrect.

The PPK/S pictured was made in the USA. It was manufactured by Ranger, for Interarms, under license from Walther. The Ranger/Interarms guns are nearly the equal of the French, and German made guns in terms of overall quality. They were made up to the late 1990's, close to 20 years of production. All stainless examples were made in the USA, none were made in Europe. S&W no longer manufactures, or imports for Walther.

[nitroxdiver]

Help needed - Walther Info

Much of that is incorrect.



The PPK/S pictured was made in the USA. All stainless examples were made in the USA, none were made in Europe.

[emoji106]

OP, you have a fine handgun. I'd rather have an interarms one than a newer s&w one, and I do.
Alas, as explained by lechiffre, it was made in America though, under license from Carl Walther. Enjoy it. Watch for slide bite/railroad tracks. Don't sell it. It's a classic piece.

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